The Carolina Panthers cut a cornerback and sign two players
The Panthers have cut rookie cornerback Troy Pride Jr. after he failed a physical.
Pride, who was selected in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft out of Notre Dame, was recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in the fourth quarter of the team’s preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts.
As of May, he had not recovered from the injury.
Coming out of college, Pride was considered a development player who was not ready to have an immediate impact, but injuries to starters forced Pride into a starting role earlier than expected.
He played in 14 games during the 2020 season and missed the final two games because of a hip injury. At times during his rookie season, he struggled in coverage. He had 42 tackles and two pass deflections.
He was hoping to improve in Year 2 but suffered the ACL tear last August.
“So thankful for even being given a chance,” Pride tweeted Monday. “I’ve been at it everyday and will keep going! Blessings on the way.”
The Panthers’ decision to cut him shouldn’t come as a surprise. Cornerback is Carolina’s deepest position group, and Pride had fallen in the depth chart. The Panthers drafted cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Keith Taylor in 2021, re-signed Donte Jackson to a three-year deal and traded for C.J. Henderson, the No. 9 pick in the 2020 draft, last season.
They also added rookie Kalon Barnes in the seventh round, and rely on third-year cornerback Stantley Thomas-Oliver on special teams.
While waiving Pride, the Panthers also signed offensive tackle Wyatt Miller and undrafted tight end Jared Scott, who participated in rookie minicamp.
The Panthers have 90 players on their roster after also releasing former Penn State safety Drew Hartlaub on Saturday.
This story was originally published May 16, 2022 at 1:45 PM with the headline "The Carolina Panthers cut a cornerback and sign two players."
